Parachute mounting for aeroplanes



March 7, 1933. T. D. CRANE 1,900,891

l PARACHUTE MOUNTING FOR AERoPLANEs Filed Feb. 10, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 2mventor TBrane March 7, 1933. T. D. CRANE 1,900,891

M ."PARACHUTEMOUNTING FOR AERQPLANES9 l Filed Feb. 1o, 195o-5'sneets-snet s Figui 9 Cra-me Smoentor duomg l March 7, 1933. T D-CRANE. l 1,900,891

PARAGHUTE MOUNTING FOR AEROPLANES Filed Feb. 10. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4lhwentor TD. Crane PARAGHTE MOUNTING FOR AEROPLANES Filed Feb. lO, 19305 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. l3.

maentor Tll'mne N wfg/uern@ Patented Mar. 7, 1933 AUNITED STATESTHEODORE D. CRANE, F COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA.

p rmcnu'rr. MOUNTING, ron morLANEs Application ld February 10, 1930.Serial No. 427,089.

This invention relates to the use of parachutes for aeroplanes, and moreparticularl to their mounting. v"

It is an object of the invention to provide such a mounting of theparachute in the plane that the usual smooth surface and contour of saidplane will not be changed and no exterior projections or obstructionscreated which might impede a forward movement or speed of the aeroplane.

The invention includes a compartment opening upon the top of the planefor receiving a folded parachute and a lid adapted to make a closure ofthe opening and to be sealed therein to provide a water-proof protectionfor the parachute.

The invention includes means under control of the pilot and whichoperate with suilicient force to coincidently unseal and unseat the lidand permit instant inflation of the parachute, and includes means which-operate automatically to cause release and instant inflation of theparachute in instances of collision and resultant breakage of the plane.

It is an object of the invention to provide such a mounting for theparachute that any circular movement thereof will be prevented whichmight otherwise be caused by a swinging movement of the aeroplane.

Also the invention includes such a connection of the parachute with theplane that, during operation, it will change the inclination of saidplane during its forward movement and descent, said change ininclination tending to impede the forward movement of the plane and tocause it to assume a horizontal position during its descent. Also theinvention includes means, during operation, for detaching-the parachutevfrom the plane, this often being of advantage when landing theaeroplane.

4With the foregoing objects in view and others to be mentionedhereinafter the invention presents a new and useful construction,combination and arrangement of parts as described herein and claimed andas illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood thatchanges may be made in form, size, proportion of parts and minordetails, said changes being within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is aside view of an aeroplane, the parachutebeing in operative position. Fig. 2 is a plan view showingl a part of aplane, the opening therein and the collapsed or folded parachutetherein. 3 1s a view'r of a plane in transverse section on line 3 3 ofFig. 2 showing the parachute therem. Fig. 4 shows an end portion of oneof the arms of a wind-frame.

5 is a view of the plane in transverse section showing the wind-frame inextended posltion to permit air to enter the parachute. F1g. 6 is abroken away view showing a part of the front edge of the plane, thewindframe being shown in a partly elevated'condition.

Fig. 7 is a broken away side view showmg means for locking the lid inclosed posit1on and for elevating the lid. Fig. 8 is a plan view of thefront Wall shown in Fig. 7 of a compartment and parts mounted thereon.

A Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are details relating to 75 a combined swiveland releasing device for connecting the flexible stays of the parachutewith the anchor-stays of the plane.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the combined swivel and releasing device. Fig.10 is a transverse 80 section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is atransverse section on line 11--11 of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a section online 12-12 of Fig. 7. Fig. 13 is a plan view of an aeroplane showing abroken plane to illustrate utility of the invention, and automaticoperation caused by displacement of a release-strand. Fig. 14 is a frontview of an aeroplane illustrating the use of release-strands forautomatically releasing the parachute upon breakage of the plane.

Referring now tothe drawings for a more particular description theinvention-is shown and described in connection with an aeroplane havinga hollow plane 15 provided in 95 its upper wall with an opening 16, saidopening being provided with a closure member or lid 17 adapted to swingrearwardly to open position. It is also shown and described inconnection with the fuselage 18 100 and rudder 19 of the aeroplane and aparachute 20.

In order that the objects may be attained as first iiielitioned Iprovide means for protecting the paiacliute from injury 0r effects ofmoisture or dainpness in the plane and for quickly releasing it from theplane to operative position.

Numeral 21 indicates the upright walls of a conipaitnient rectangular inplan as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings adapted to contain theparachute when folded and `certain other parts employed for operation.However, since the plane 15 is hollow the compartment may be dispensedwith if desired. lVhen the cover has been swung. to closed position itfits snugly in the opening and preferably is sealed therein so that theparachute will be protected from rain or dust.

Numeral 22 indicates a fabric strip operating as a flexible hinge, saidstrip being Silitably'secured to the inner side of the lid and to aconcaved plate 23 provided for the rear part of the compartment as bestshown in Figs. 3 and 5 ofthe drawings.

'lhe obj ect in providing the concaved plate 23 is to prevent anypossible injury to the parachute when it is released from the plane.

The front end of the lid is provided with a pair of hooks 24 and ledges25 and with recesses 2G between said ledges, as best shown in Fig. 7.The front upright wall of the compartment 21 is provided with a `pair oflocking-plates 27 pivoted at 28 to said wall, and connected by a rod 29.

Each plate 27 is provided with a lug 30 and with one or more rollers 31,and since these plates are of angular form it will be seen that saidlugs 30 may enter the recesses 26 for engaging the hooks 24 of the lid 17 when the locking-plates are swung in one direction. Also when theplates 27 are swung in an opposite direction the lugs 30 will bereleased from the hooks 24 and during this last named movement of saidplates the .rollers 31 will engage the ledges 25 of the lid to releasesaid lid and to cause it to swing upwardly a limited distance.

It will be appreciated that the control mentioned for the lid is amatter of importance. It remains firmly closed by action of springs 32,and when the lid is closed the lockingplates engage the stop-lugs 33,and the lugs 3() will be maintained in engagement with the hooks 24.Numeral 34 indicates a pulleord or operating-strand which extends to thefuselage 18 or cock pit for use of a pilot and, on any occasion ofemergency or accident the parachute may be moved from the compartmentshown in Figs. 2 and 3 tothe position shown in Fig. 1 by moving the cordoutwardly against the force of the springs 32, the inner end of the cord34 being secured to one of the locking-plates 27 shown in Fig. 7 of thedrawings.

The operation of the mechanism last described lifts the lid a limiteddistance above the plane and this upward swinging movement of the lidimmediately'ieleascs an eX- tension-fraiiie 35, preferably called a'windframe since it causes the lid to swing completely open and causesthe expansible end 20 of the parachute to be disposed in the positionshown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Since the aeroplane will be movingforwardly at this time air will enter the parachute with considerable force to cause complete distention.

The wiiid-franie 35 consists of bars or strips arranged in pairs, as thebars or strips (L and pivotally connected at one of their ends asindicated at c, and provided at said pivot c with springs 3G tending tocanse the bars of each pair to assume an extended position, the bars orstrips a of each pair being pivotally mounted at one of their ends asindicated at (l to the lower wall of the plane.

Numerals 37 indicate springs arranged in pairs, one of their ends beingsecured to the lower wall of the plane near the front edge thereof. theopposite end of each spiing being secured to a strip or bar a, theoperation of said springs 37 tending to cause the pairs of pivotallyconnected bars to swing to an upright position as shown in Fig. 5 of thedrawings.

The parachute preferably is packed in folds in the compartment 21 withits eXpansihle end-portion 20 disposed adjacent to the front edge of theplane. Numerals 38 indicate spreader-stays which are secured to the edgeof the parachute and are wound upon drums 39 which are rigidly securedto a spindle 40, said spindle being journalled in the head-members 41 ofthe bars or strips b of the wind-frame 35, each head-member 41 heingprovided with a sleeve 42 so that it may have a slight rotatablemovement on a strip b to permit the spindle to rotate without unduefriction during its rotation.

As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the lid 17 is provided withpockets 43 adapted to receive a pair of stabilizing guides 44 when theparachute and other parts are assembled in the plane. each guide 44being mounted on a projection 45 of a head-member 41 of a strip b, bestshown in Fig. 4 of the dra wings` these members 44 normally beingpressed upwardly against the lid by action of the springs 3G and 37` andwhen the parachute is released the guides 44 will slide outwardly fromthe pockets of the lid.

The stays 33 are for the purpose of spreading the expansible end-portion20 of the parachute and for detaining it temporarily in an open orspread condition, as shown in Fig. 6 or Fig. 5 to permit inflation ordistention of the parachute. The stays 38 are releasably secured to thedrums 39,-that is to say, they are closely wound upon the drums whensaid drums, together with the spindle 40 are rotated in one direction,and may be released, of course, when the spindle and drums are reverselyrotated.

The rotation of the spindle 40 is controlled by a pair of spiral springs46 each spring being secured at its inner end to the spindle 40 and itsouter'end being secured to a headmember 41, and in operation, to mountthe stays 38 on the drums the spindle by use of a wrench or othersuitable means is rotated in one direction against the force of thesprings 46. The ends of the stays 38 are then applied to the drums; thespindle is then permitted to rotate by retraction of the springs tocause said sta-ys to become wound upon the drums, and of course, whenthe parachute is released the spindle 40 will resist rotation of thedrums in a certain degree, but as soon as the parachute is partly openedit will move outwardly with such force that the stays 38 will be unwoundand released from the drums.

Numerals 47 indicate a pair of flexible brace-members each beingattached to a strip b of the wind-frame 35, its opposite end beingsecured to the bottom of the plane forwardly of the pivotal mounting dof the wind-frame 35.

As thus described, an outward movement of the pull-cord 34 (Figi 7.)lwill cause release of the fastening elements 24 of the lid from thefastening elements 30 of the locking-plates 27 for releasing the lid,and by action of springs 36 and 37 the wind-frame 35 will be actuatedand extended for elfectively opening up the parachute to permit air toenter, the forward movement of the aeroplane being depended upon forcomplete expansion of the parachute.

While I have described the mechanism in detail for the operationsdescribed I may change the same in some respects but prefer the partsmentioned for moving the parachute so that its end-portion 20" may beopened up' and maintained in opened position to permit expansion.

The'usual lexible'stays for the parachute are indicated at 48, theanchor-stays which are secured to the bottom of the plane 15 in the.opening 16 being indicated, for convenience as the pair of anchor-stays49 and an anchor-stay 50, this triangular arrangement for theanchor-stays being preferred so that the spring 5l may be effective forcontrolling the transverse inclination of the plane 15 as will bedescribed.

In order thatthe parachute when in operation will not be rotated byswinging movements of the aeroplane, and in order that the parachute maybe detached from the aeroplane whenever required, a combined swivel andrelease-block 52 is provided to which the flexible stays 48 andanchor-stays are secured.

The stays 48 are secured to a swivel 53 (Fig. 9.) the head of the swivelbeing provided with a ring 54 to which the ends of the stays 48 aresecured.

The stem of the swivel is rotatably mounted in an apertured cylinder 55best shown in Fig. 11, the stem 53 being provided with a projection 56normally engaging the bottom of the cylinder.

The cylinder is slidingly mounted in a sleeve 57 to which the threeanchor-stays are secured. The sleeve is provided with a housing 58 for amounting therein of a lockingbar 59 adapted to rotate in said housing,the cylinder being provided with a recess 60 for receiving thelocking-bar. As best shown in Fig. 9, that part of the bar 59 within thehousing 58 is provided with a recess 6l, and it will be understood thatthe locking-bar may have a rotatable movement to be disposed with itsrecess 61 in opposed relation to the recess. 60 of the cylinder, andwhen the parts are thus disposed the swivel and its cylinder may slideupwardly from and be released from the sleeve. Numeral 62 indicates acrank-arm which may have swinging movements subject to the control of aspring 63 for releasing the swivel from the sleeve. The

crank-arm 62 may be moved by use of a pullrope (not shown), saidpull-rope or cable eX- tending from the crank 62 to the cock pitwithin-reachof a pilot.

The means for detaching the parachute from the plane is important toavoid obstructions when landing an aeroplane, said obstructions beingupon or near the ground and liable to be encountered while the aeroplaneis moving forwardly.

Theuse of the swivel is of importance since swinging movements of theparachute and buckling or twisting of the stays occa-` sioned by.swinging movements of the aeroplane will be avoided. Also in instances`when an aeroplane, on .account of some defect, moves spirally anddownwardly, called flat spin the use of a parachute tends to preventsuch movement.

The anchor-stays 49 and 50 are attached to the plane 15 in a manner tosupport the parachute approximately at the center of gravity of theaeroplane, and the anchor-stay 50 which is attached to the plane 15midway between the ends of said plane is connected approximately midwaybetween its ends with the spring 51. rlhe use of this spring is a matterof importance since it causes a change in the inclination of the plane15.l

When the parachute is released the forward movement of the aeroplanewill cause the parachute to assume a rearward and upward inclination andsince the connection of this spring with the anchor-stay51 is betweenthe ends of said stay the stresses directed to said plane 15 will changethe inclination of the planeand cause its front edge to be elevated,this being of great advantage since it may retard the forward movementof said plane.

The means for releasing the parachute automatically is considered to beimportant since, in instances of collision the parachute should beimmediately released without the attention of a pilot. To attain thisobject flexible members, such as wire strands 64 are suitably mounted inthe planes shown in Figs. 13 and 14 of the drawings, and shown in thehollow housings of the braces 65 of Fig. 14, said strands being suitablyconnected with the strand 34 and engaging the sheave 66 shown in Fig. 7of the drawings, and if a breakage of the plane occurs the strand 64will be drawn in a manner to move the pullcord or strand 34 with theresult that the parachute will be automatically released.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings a sheave is indicated at 67 engaged by thepull-cord or similar element 34, and anysuitable means may be providedfor use of the pilot for moving the cord 34, for releasing the parachutefrom the plane.

Suitable means are provided to prevent possible injury to the aeroplaneor to its occupants by action of the lid 17 when it is swung rearwardly,said means consisting of a wire shield or plurality of wires 68extending from the plane to the pivot of the rudder 19 and secured tosaid parts as shown in Figs. 1 and 13 of the drawings.'

I claim as my invention,-

l. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane, said aeroplane including ahollow plane having an opening in its upper wall, a parachute normallycollapsed and disposed in said plane and having an expansible endportionprovided with flexible stays and spreader-strands, a swivel attached tosaid flexible stays, anchor stays secured to said plane and attached tothe swivel, mechanism connected with the spreader-strands and disposedin said plane, a lid normally closing said opening, and lmeans foractuating said mechanism for moving said lid and expansible end-portionof the parachute to permit the air to enter said parachute to causeinflation thereof.

2. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane including a plane, ananchor-stay secured to the plane adjacent to the front edge thereof, aplurality of anchor-stays secured to the plane rearwardly of the firstnamed anchor-stay, a parachute having flexible stays connected with saidanchor-stays, and a resilient member connected with the first namedanchor-stay between the ends thereof and connected with the front edgeof the plane for elevating the front edge of the plane relative to therear edge thereof.

3. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane including a hollow planeprovided with 5 an opening in its upper wall for receiving theparachute, a lid mounted to swing from the plane, locking-devices in theplane to normally maintain the lid in closed relation with said opening,a spring-controlled windframe in the plane connected with the parachuteand normally pressed against the lid, a releasing-strand extending intothe plane and connected with said locking-devices, said strand beingmovable for actuating the locking-devices to permit the lid to swing toopen position and to permit the wind-frame and parachute to moveoutwardly of said opening.

4. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane including a plane having anopening in its upper wall, a lid for said opening, a parachute anchoredand normally folded therein, means in the plane for locking the lid toclosed position, flexible strands in the plane extending approximatelyto the ends of said plane and connected with said locking-means to causeunlocking of the lid upon breakage of the plane, and means in the planeto cause immediate inflation of the parachute upon unlocking said lid.

5. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane including a hollow planehaving an opening in its upper wall, flexible strands within andextending approximately the entire length of the plane, a parachutesecured to the plane and adapted to be collapsed to form folds and to bedisposed in said opening, a lid mounted on the plane for closing saidopening, a resiliently mounted frame connected with the folds of theparachute normally tending to move the lid to open position, lockingmeans for preventing a movement of the lid to open position andconnected with the flexible strands for causing actuation of saidlocking means and resiliently mounted frame upon breakage of said planeto permit a movement of the lid and expansion of the parachute.

6. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane having an opening, a lid forcovering said opening, a parachute collapsed to form folds within theopening and anchored to the aeroplane, flexible members secured to saidfolds, a frame including extensible, pivotally connected, springcontrolled bars provided with drums, said frame being disposed below andnormally pressed upwardly against the lid with its drums connected withsaid flexible members, locking devices for controlling a movement ofsaid lid, and a pullcord connected with and movable for actuating thelocking devices to cause removal of the lid and to permit said frame andparachute to move outwardly from said opening.

7. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane having an opening, a lidhinged to the aeroplane for covering said opening and having recessesopening on its inner side, a frame in said opening provided withpivotally mounted drums and having guide-members normally disposed insaid recesses, springs normally pressing the guide-members against thelid for moving the frame and lid outwardly from said opening, aparachute collapsed to form folds in said opening and anchored to theaeroplane, strands secured to the folds of the parachute and engagingthe drums of said frame, locking means for preventing a movement of saidlid and frame, and a release-strand adapted to be moved for actuatingthe locking means to permit a movement of said frame and parachuteoutwardly of said opening, said strands moving from their engagedrelation with said drums and said guide-members moving outwardly fromsaid recesses.

8. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane having an opening, aparachute in said opening and anchored to the aeroplane, a lid forcovering said opening and provided with a pair of recesses, a frame inthe opening having a pair of guide-members normally disposed in therecesses of said lid, a pair of spring-controlled drums rotatablymounted on the frame, flexible members secured to the parachuteandengaging said drums, resilient means tending to move the frame andlid outwardly from said opening, locking means for preventing movementsof the frame and lid outwardly of said opening, and a release-strandmovable for moving saidlocking means to permit the frame and lid to moveoutwardly from said opening for releasing the parachute, saidguide-members moving outwardly from said recesses and said ilexiblemembers being disengaged from said drums. Y

9. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane having an opening, a lid forcovering said opening, a parachute provided with` strands and anchoredin said opening a frame including pivotally connected, extensible,resiliently actuated bars provided with drums and normally connectedwith said strands, springs arranged in pairs Ain said opening for movingsaid frame and parachute outwardly of said opening, a locking devicemovable for preventing a movement of said frame and parachute, and areleasing-strand, adapted to be moved for actuating. said lockingdevice.

10. In a parachute mounting for an aeroplane having an elongatedcompartment with an opening in its upper wall,a lid for covering saidopening, a parachute secured to the aeroplane and .collapsed to formfolds and disposed in said opening, flexible strands secured to theaeroplane within and extending longitudinally of a Wing of saidaeroplane, a resiliently mounted frame connected with the folds of theparachute and normally tending to press the lid to open position,locking means for preventing a ymovement of the lid to open position andconnected with the iexible strands for causing actuation of said.

locking means and resiliently mounted frame upon breakage of saidaeroplane to permit a movement of said lid and expansion of saidparachute. Y

In testimony whereof, I have aiiixed my signature.

THEODORE D. CRANE.

